2021 Hyundai Accent Reviews, Pricing & Specs

The Hyundai Accent enters 2021 largely unchanged from its 2020 iteration. That means fuel efficiency, low power output, and an even lower...

The Hyundai Accent enters 2021 largely unchanged from its 2020 iteration. That means fuel efficiency, low power output, and an even lower price tag. There’s a reason the Accent is so often chosen as a first car for a new driver: few vehicles provide safe, reliable transportation at this low price.

In 2020, Hyundai redesigned the 1.6-liter engine. It carries over to 2021, making 120 horsepower and 113 pound-feet of torque. A six-speed manual transmission is included as standard equipment, although there is also a continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT) available.

Prior to 2020, the automatic transmission option in the Accent was a six-speed unit. The shift to a CVT was done in search of more fuel efficiency. That search wasn’t in vain, either. The 2021 model returns 33 mpg city, 41 highway, and 36 combined. Power is routed to front-wheel drive (FWD) and all-wheel drive (AWD) is not available.

Trim levels for the Accent include SE, SEL, and Limited. Base trims are appropriately spartan, with just a 5-inch touchscreen handling infotainment with standard Bluetooth connectivity. You’ll also find a 60/40 split-folding rear seat to make the most of the Accent’s small cargo space.

The SEL and Limited trims get a larger 7-inch touchscreen display that runs Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Buyers at these levels also get dual USB charging ports. On the Limited trim, Hyundai includes 17-inch alloy wheels.

A couple of paint colors—Urban Gray and Linen Beige—have been discontinued for 2021, and Forge Gray has been added. In terms of safety, the 2021 Hyundai Accent received “Good” ratings in all crash tests except the small overlap front test (“Acceptable”) from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS). The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) awarded it four out of five stars overall but noted that there were concerns about the vehicle’s ability to keep rear-seat passengers safe in side-impact crashes.

The Hyundai Accent is all about value, and it competes against other low-cost stalwarts like the Nissan Versa and the Mitsubishi Mirage.